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Leavenworth in Winter: A Bavarian-Style Getaway
Leavenworth Washington is a little slice of southern Germany that lies in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Located at the eastern edge of Washington’s Cascade Mountains, the logging-town-turned-Bavarian village is more than 5,000 miles from the place it was made to resemble. With its faux-German storefronts and exaggerated Bavarian folk culture, it isn’t the type of place I typically choose to visit In fact, I’ve often found myself remarking at the town’s kitschy and over-the-top decor. But I have to admit that Leavenworth in winter is a magical sight.…
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11 Scenic Waterfalls in Washington State
When I close my eyes and think of Washington State, rainfall is one of the first things that comes to mind. The northwesternmost corner of the continental US is notoriously wet and dreary. For most of the year, a thick grey cloud hovers over the state’s western half. It ejects bucketfuls of water each winter and ensures that there are never too many consecutive days of sunshine. As a Washington resident, I find myself complaining about the rain all the time. I lament that it precludes me from enjoying the…
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National Parks and Monuments in Washington State
Washington’s national parks and monuments boast jewel-like islands, misty forests, soaring mountains, arid scablands, and flat featureless desert. They cover roughly a quarter of the state’s total area and encompass many of its different ecosystems. Yet despite its geographical diversity, Washington State remains best known for its emerald-carpeted forests, its mountain-clad topography, and its heavy rainfall. And, to some extent, it isn’t difficult to see why. After all, the western portion of Washington houses more than three quarters of the state’s population and attracts a large majority of its tourists.…
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10 Things to Do on an Orcas Island Getaway
Orcas has long been one of Seattle’s favorite island getaways. Considered by many to be the jewel of the San Juans, it is a place where time slows down and the frenzy of city living seems worlds away. Due to its difficult-to-reach location in Washington’s northern Puget Sound, the rugged and laid-back island has struck a delicate balance between development and preservation, tourist dollars and authenticity. It is pricy but not pretentious, touristy but not overcrowded, and pretty but not packed with must-see attractions. Orcas Island has everything you might…
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Lake Chelan and Stehekin: A Weekend Getaway Guide
Lake Chelan is an elongated body of water that snakes through the hills of Central Washington. It is a scenic wonder, one of the state’s premier outdoor playgrounds, and a magnet for anyone with a penchant for water sports, wine, and relaxation. On summer weekends, it seems that everyone in Seattle descends on the sunny shores of Lake Chelan. And as a result, the lake is a place where ‘the great outdoors’ and ‘getting away from it all’ do not necessarily go hand in hand. Unless, of course, you decide…
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Visiting Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier is the contiguous USA’s fifth-tallest mountain and the highest peak in the spectacular Cascade Range. Depicted on every Washington license plate, eponymous to everything from beer brands to cherries, and visible throughout much of the state’s western half, it is a towering landmark that has become one of the Pacific Northwest‘s most recognizable and beloved symbols. The sky-scraping mountain is a constant visible reminder of the region’s remarkable geology. Within its confines, Mount Rainier National Park hosts an ecosystem that is studded with geologic wonders and natural splendor.…
